Foot-throttle control



March 1, 1927. W. H. THOMAS 1,619,319

FOOT THROTTLE CONTROL Filed March 31, 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 v wa 2202* gK/XJiQYWW zggzl g y/W Mi z x March 1,1927. 1,619,319 w. H. THOMAS FOOT THROTTLE CONTROL Filed March 51, 1926 '2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Mar. 1, 1927.

' UNITED s r res LTER H. THOMAS, or srnncnn, Iowa;-

j roor-rnnor'rtn 'CONTR-QL.

Application filed March 31, 1926; Serial no; 98,830.

The object o'finy invention is to provide a footthrottle control for motor vehicles of simple, durableand comparatively inexpensive construction. V

More particularly, it is my obj set to provide a foot throttle control adapted as an attachmentvvupon automobiles of the Ford type. with practically no change or modification of the parts'now provided uponsuclr automobiles. r i a-Still a further object is to provide such a device wherein the parts may be readily and quickly installed upon the regular throttle or control equipment of the car and the device attached to the carburetor regardless of the type of carburetor employed and regardless;

of the particular motor of the Ford car.

Still a*-further objectis to provide a fit-. ting adapted to be mounted aroundthe hand" throttle control rod'of' the automobile and capable of being attached to the ordinary connection between the throttle control rod and the carburetor itself infvarious posi-' tions,"wherein my foot throttle control may be used upon various styles of'th'e Ford automobile without interfering with the carburetor by hand. a

It maybe here mentioned'fthat in some types of carburetors for Ford automobiles, "the hand throttlecontrol rod'is connected to the carburetor by a link or rod extended through the block of the engine itself, while in other types the connecting link extends verthe engine block, and it is my object to provide a foot throttle control capable of parts of my foot throttle control, whereby] beingused upon either type'of carburetor. VViththeseand-other objects in view, my v invention consists in'the construction, arrangement and combination of the various the objects contemplated are attained, as

hereinafter'more fully set forth, pointed out i in my claims, and illustrated in the accom panying drawings, in which Figure 1 is atop, plan view of a portion of an automobile with my improved foot throttle control installed thereon, parts being shown in section to better illustrate the construction thereof. I

Figure 2 is a sectional view taken on the line 22 of Figure 1, one position "of the control being shown in dotted lines;

Figure 3 is'a detail, perspective view of the fitting adapted to be mounted upon the hand throttle control rod of the automobile.

parts normally employed for operatingfthe' Figure dis a perspective view of one of the brackets adaptedto be secured tot-he .fitting shown in Figure 3.

forming a partof my foot throttlemounting.

Figure 6 is a top, plan view of the portion of an automobile illustrating the atconnection and my hinged foot pedah In the accompanying drawings, 1' have V H 1, 19,319 TENT OFF lCE i Figure 5 1s a perspective view of a bracketifi used the reference numeral 1O tol indicatev generally the engine :o-f'arFord automobile;

having an intake manifold 1.11, radiator 12,." footboard 13 and-dash 14. The automobile includes the ordinary steering mechanism or; post 15 having mountedoni 'ea'chside thereof a spark control rod '16 and a'hand throttle control rod 17. Thefcontrolrods 16 and 17 and the post, 15 areconnectedtogether by a plate 18 mountedloosely, so as to permit the 7 operation of the rods 16and;17.

' The type of'carburetor shown in Figure of the drawings, discloses a connection be-i tween the carburetor 19, and the hand throtengine 10. In this type, the; carburetor 19 is provided with, a throttlestemcontrol lever connected to the'throttle stem control lever 20 is the rod 22, which in turn normally connects toan arm 23 fixedito the hand throttle control rod 17. v v

Operation of the hand throttle control rod tle control rod 17," which extends over-the H 20 mounted upon the stem 21. *Pivotallyr- 17 is intended tocause the arm- 28- to-rotat'e or swing therewith, which in turn imparts, a reciprocating movement to therod 22 for 7 operating the valve of the carburetor.

My improved foot throttle control is de-:

signed to operate the parts just described by the foot. V z

I provide a fitting 24:, which is in the form of a stamping and formed with an elongated channel-shaped connecting member 25, wherein there is provided a lower bearing 26 and an upper bearing 27. The bearings 26' and 27 are channel-shapedfso as to extend.

around the hand throttle control'rod 20.

' The bearing 26, or the lower bearing as it may be called, is of considerable length and is formed with a plurality of spaced openings 28, which are designed to permit the fitting 24 to be used in connection with various types of automobiles, where the dashes and footboards thereof are spaced at diflergut distances from the front of the auton1oile.

The upper bearing 27 is formed with a pair of openings 29. r

The fitting '24 is held at its upper and lower ends around the throttle controi rod 17 by means of a lower fitting and, an up l per fitting 31 clearly illustrated in liigures 4 and 5 of the drawings. The fittings 30 and31 are peculiarly shaped so as to permit the arts to properl function, as I will hereand thelower fitting 30. a The entire fitting" 24 rests against the plate 18, and the plate 18 positions the fitting on the throttle control rod17.

The upper bearing 31 is formed with what may be calleda down-turned flange 34, having a pair ofopenings 35 therein adapted to register with the openings 29 in the upper bearing ofthe fitting 24. Bolt-s36 are designed to be extended through the openings 35 and 29 for holding the upper fittingll in position on the fitting 24 and at the same time holding the upper end of the entire fitting 24 around the throttle control rod 17 From the constructitm of the parts just described. it will be seen that the fittings 24, 30 and 31 when connected together form an assembly mounted upon the throttle control rod 17. r

The throttle control rod 17 is; designed to be free to rotate within the arings in the 'fitting24 due to the fact that the hcar ings are comparatively larger than the diameterof the rod 17.

The fitting 31 is positionedjust below the arm 23 normally provided on the throttle control rod 17; a a

The fitting 31 is formed with a righh angled extension 37 formed integral with the fla nge34 and which projects some little distance beyond one edge of the flange 34. all

as clearly shown in Figure 4 of the, drawings. sion 37 furtheiest away from the flange 34 is bent upon itselt so asto provide a U- shaped end 38, havinga pair of registering, openings 39. a i

The openings 39 are spaced some little dis The end of the right-angled cxtentance apart. due to the fact that the end of the extension 37 is U-shaped, and it is in these openings 39 that the end of the rod 22 is received. The end of the rod 22 is normally formed with an up-turned portion 4-0 adapted to couct and be received in an opening: ttciil'n'ied in the arm 23. The up-turned end 40 extends into the openings 39 in the fitting 3'1. \Vhen my fitting ill. is mounted upon the throttlecontrol rod I7, then the upturned end 40 is received in the openings 39.

The Ushapod endSS forms a more substzuitial bearing than would he torrned it simply one opening was provided in a single thickness of the metal ol the fitting;- 31.

Movement o't'the rod :22 through the fitting: 31 operates the valve stem control lever 20 in then ianner Twill hereinafter more fully describe. a

lhc fitting. 30, whichiserves to hold the lower end of the fittingfil l in position around the hand throttle control rod 117 islormed with a substantially curved portion 4-1 which extends or curves around and 1n the back oftho fitting 2%, as clearly shown in Figures 1 land 6 of the drawings.

The curi'cd end. 41 of the fitting 30 has its extreme end bent at right angles and twisted a quarter turn. so as to form the flange 42. WlllCll 1sproV1ded with an opemng43. The

opening 43 receives one end-of a foot con trol rod 44. The rod 44 isprovided with a suitable collar 45. so as to limit its position relative to the flange 42 and its lower end or theend that is extended through the opening 43 may he provided with a suitable cotter pin or the like. i

The foot control rod 4-4, extends somewhat at an angle relative to the hand throttle con trol rod 17 and projects up through an opening 46 which is formed in the foot boards 13 oi the automobile. A suitable washer or the like 47 may be screwed into the floor boards 13 around the. opening 46.

The upper end of the control rod 44: is slightly bent relative to the main l'lOGlY portion of therod itself.

Movement of the rod 41st in the direction indicated by the arrow l8 will impart move ment to the fitting 30 in the direction indicated. by the arrow 4:9, causing the entire fitting or assembly n'iouuted upon the throttlccontrol rod 1.7 to be rotated.

Rotation of the entire assembly. which is :mounted upon the hand throttle control rod 17 will cause the fitting 31 to be moved. imparting a movement to the rod 22 in the direction indicated by the arrow 50.

It will be noted that the entireassembly is frecto move independently of the hand throttle control 17, and that. through the rod a l the carburetor valve is operated entirely independent of the hand throttle rod 17.

Secured to the arm 23 on the hand throttle control rod 17 and fastened in the open- 1ng normally adapted to receive the upturned end 400i therod'22 isa (3011 spring 51, :which-is connected at its free end to-a collar 52 adjustably mounted upon the rod 22 itselt; When the rod 22 is moved in the direction indicated by. the arrow 50, then, of]

I course, the spring 51 is placed. under a ten- I the'screws or the like 54.

"sion,;and the spring 51 will tend to cause the entire assembly to bereturned to its i normal position.

It will be noted that thehand throttle rod 17 does not operate 'when I the assembly mounted thereon is operated, and thus the arm 23 serves as an anchor for one end oi the spring 51.

In :order to operate the foot control, rod 441,1 provide a foot pedal construction A. The foot pedal construction A consistsof an angular hinge piece 53, which has one part thereof secured to the floorb'oard .13 by part-ofthe hinge piece 53 is formed with an opening155. The opening 55 receives the curved: end 56 of the pedal plate 57. The

pedal plate 57 is formed of a flat piece of metal of greater length than width, and'has mounted thereon a rubber toot piece 58, which is pressed on to the plate. 57 and held thereon by parts of theplate 57, which are raised and slitted, so that therabber 5S;n ay

be pressed therein and secured thereto.

The rubber 58 also extends around the outer edge of the plate 57, as clearly shown in-Figu're 9 of the drawings. From I the construction of the parts just described, it will be seen that the foot pedal A is hingedly mounted upon the hinge piece 53 through the looped end 56 and opening 55.- The upturned portion of the hinge piece 53 has anchoredjto it a small coil spring '59, which has, its free end connected to a'loop 60 formed in the plate '57.

The spring 59 tends to normally exert a downward pull upon the upper end of the foot pedal A.

;The plate 57 is dished as'at 61, so as to,

provide an inverted saucer-shaped portion for receiving the upper end of the rod 44.

The-up-turned portionof the hinge piece .53 and the thickness'of the pedal A pro'- vides what may be called 'a heel rest'or anv :edge (32 against which the heel of the driver may rest when operating thef'oot pedal A. The foot pedal A when pressed downward twill: causethe rod 4 to operate and in turn the assembly on the control rod 17 will be rotated.

In the installation-of my foot pedal, all

that is necessary is to cut a slit in the carpet or rubber matting 63, ordinarily covering the floor boards 13, and then secure the hingepiece 53 1n pos1t1on..- The carpetjor matting 63may then be placed. over the hinge piece 53.

It will be noted that when it is desired to The upturned remove the matting or carpet 63, all that is necessary is to simply lift or swing the foot pedal A upon its hinge and raise the carpet thereover. There is'no actual physical connection between the foot control rod 44 and the foot pedal A, and this is important in many respects. I

It is to. be noted that with my foot throt .tle control, which I'have'just described, the hand throttle control rod may be operated in the usual manner for controlling the position of the valve of the carburetor;

In order to make the operation of the hand throttlerod .17 effective, Iform an up-t'urned lug 64 on'the extension 37 of the fitting-'31. The tip-turned lug .64 is positioned against the arm 23, so that whenthe hand throttle rod 17 isrotated ina direction for imparting a'swinging movementt-o the arm 23v in the direction indicated by the arrow 50, then the arm 23 will strike against theflug 64, and cause the entire assembly to be carried therew-itlrfor operating the .carburetor valve. V i

It is to be noted that when the arm 23 is used for moving the assembly von the rod 17, that the coil spring 51 is, never place-dunder any tension, because the distance between thecollar 52 and the arm 23 remains the same, although when the foot control is employed and thearm 23 remains in its nor mal position, the spring 51 is then effective.

tioned above theengine 10. v

, In order to useniy foot throttle control uponthe type of carburetor wherein the rod between the carburetor andthe hand throttle control 17 extends through the engine 10, I employ a. lower fitting 65, which is formed of carburetor that now has therod 22 posi:

with a flat side having a pairlof openings 66 therein adapted to register with the two lowermost openings 28 in the fitting 24. The

lower fitting is secured tothe fitting 24 i by means of the bolts 67.

' The parts I have just described are'apphc'able for use in connection with the type ill) It may be herementionedthat in the type I 01": carburetor and hand control, as shown in Figure 6 of the "drawings, the rod 68 connects to an arm 69 mounted on the hand throttle control rod 17;:

lVhen my fitting 65 is used, the rod 68 is disconnected from the arm 69. The fitting 65 includes a portion 70 arranged at right angles to the plane in which the portion of lil means forone end of a coil spring 74-, which has its otherend anchored in the opening 75 formed in the arm 69. v

The fitting (35 includes a big or engaging memberi't'i adapted to engage the arm 69.

In the operation of this form of foot accelerator. the rod eta operated, causing the entire :Iitting as. imbly to move in the direction indicated by the arrow 49, in turn movmg the rod 68 in the direction indicated by will cause the arm tiilto be carried therewith,

which in turn through engagement with the lug 76 will cause the assembly on the rod 17 to operate, thereby moving the rod J68 and operating the particular form of carburetor to which it is attached in the ordinary manner. M

It will be noted that the assembly upon the hand throttle control rod '17 is adaptable for use in connecting up with operating rods like 22 or ($8.

In either case, the same assembly is used with the exception of the fittings S'lQand 65. The fitting 31 servesto support the entire assembly at the upper end onthe rod 17 and thisfitting 31 may be used even though the control rod (58 is fastened to the lower fitting 65.

It will be further noted that n j assembly, which is mounted upon the control rod 17. permits me to connect up my foot throttle control to various automobiles wherein different types of carburetors are employed.

The scriesot openings in the lower portion of the fitting 2st permit the fitting 30 to be mounted in any set of the openings 28, thereby taking care of any variation in dis tance between the lower portion of the fitting and the floor boards 13, which occur in the various models of automobiles.

No physical connection between the foot pedal and rod 44 makes iteasy to remove the floor boards, because the foot pedal is simply removed with the floor hoards.

Some changes may be made in the arrangen'ient and construction of the various parts of my foot throttle control. without departing from the essential features and purposes of my invention, and it is my intention to cover by my claims, any n'loditied forms of structure or use of mechanical equivalents. which may be reasonably included within their scope.

I claim as my invention:

1. In combination with a motor \ehicle having a. carbiiretor thereon and a hand operable throttle control rod, an arm on the hand throttle control rod and a rod connecrod adjacent the arm thereon, a. parton said fitting adapted to receive one end of the rod connection normally extending between the arm and the carburetor, a pro ecting lug on said fitting adapted to coact with the arm on the hand throttle control rod, a spring connected to the arm on the hand throttle control rod and to said fitting for holding said projecting lug and arm normally in engageiuent with each other, whereby opera tion of the hand throttle control rod will 80 impart operation to said fitting, and means for operating said fitting independently of the hand throttle control rod.

2. In combination with a motor vehicle having a. carburetor thereon and a hand 0)- crable throttle control rod, an arm on tie hand throttle control rodand arod connecion between the arm and the carburetor, of a a toot operable throttle control including a fitting mounted on the hand throttle control rod adjacent the arm thereon, a part on said:

fitting adapted to receive one end of the rod connection normallyextending between the arm and the carburetor, a projecting lug on said fitting adapted to coact with the arm on the band throttle control rod, means for opcrating said fitting independently of the hand throttle control rod and a spring connected to the arm on the hand throttle control 'rod and to said fitting for holding the arts in engagement with each other.

3. In combination with a motor vehicle having a carburetor thereon and a hand operable throttle control rod, an arm on the hand throttle control rod and a rod connection between the armand the carburetor, of a toot operable throttle control including a litting mounted on the hand throttle control rod adjacent the arm thereon, said fitting including an upper and lower bearing, an upper and lower fitting mounted on said first fitting, a foot operable rod connected to said lower fitting whereby movement of said rod will impart rotation toall of said fittings, said upper fitting being connected to the rod connection normally extending between the arm and the carburt-itor, a spring for holding a foot operable throttle control including a fitting mounted onthe hand throttle control rod adjacent the arm} thereon, said fitting including an upper and lower bearing, an upper and lowering fitting mounted on said first fitting, a foot operable rod connected to said lower fitting whereby movement of said rod will impart rotation to all of said fittings, said upper fitting being connected to the rod connection normally extending between the arm and the carburetor, a spring for holding said fittingin engagement with the hand throttle control rod, whereby movement of said fittings will cause said spring to be tensioned, and a projecting lug on said upper fitting adapted to coact with the arm on the hand throttle control rod for limiting the movement of the fittings in one direction on the hand throttle control rod, said lower fitting being adjustable on said first fitting.

5. In combination with a motor vehicle having a carburetor thereon and a hand operable throttle control rod, an arm on the hand throttle control rod and a rod con nection between the arm and the carburetor, of a footoperable throttle control including foot actuatable means, a fitting mounted on the hand throttle control rod. adjacent the arm thereon, a part 011 said fittingadapted to receive one end of the rod connection nor mally extending between the arm and the carburetor and a second part on said fitting operatively connected to said foot actuatable means, a spring connectedto said first part for normally holding the parts of said fitting in a normal inactive position relative to the hand throttle rod, whereby operation of the hand throttle rod will carry with it said fitting and said parts without additionally tensioning said spring. w

6. In eombinatlon Wlth a motor vehicle having a carburetor thereon and a hand operable throttle control rod, an arm on the hand throttle control rod and a rod connection'between the arm and the carburetor, of a foot operable throttle control including foot actuatable means, a fitting mounted on the hand throttle control rod adjacent the arm thereon, a part on said fitting adapted to receive one end of the rod connection'normally extending between the arm and the carburetor and a second part on said fitting operatively connected to said foot actuatable means, a spring connected to said first part for normally holding the parts of said fitting in a normal inactive position relative to the hand throttle rod, whereby operation of the hand throttle rod will carry with it said fit- I ting and said parts without additionally tensioning said spring, said parts being operable independent of said hand throttle rod against the tension of said spring upon the actuation of said foot actuatable means.

7. In combination with a motor vehicle having a carburetor thereon, a hand operable throttle control rod, an arm on said throttle control rod and a rod connection between the arm and the carburetor of a foot operable throttle control including a fitting mounted on the throttle control rod, a lever on 'said fitting, a foot actuatable member connected to said lever, a part on said fitting adapted to receive one end of the rod connection normally extending between the arm and the carburetor, said part being spring actuated to engage the throttle control rod whereby rotation of said throttle control rod will carry with it said fitting, lever andpart and actuation of said foot actuatable member will move said part and rod connection causing the part to disengage said throttle control rod against the action ofthe spring.

Des Moines, Iowa, March 26, 1926.

WALTER H. THOMAS. 

